Current Non-Sectarian Activities

Argentina
Reaching Vulnerable Children (2002-2009)
At the height of the economic crisis in Argentina, more than four million children were categorized as living below the misery line. In response, JDC is supporting over 40 soup kitchens so that more than 4,000 children and their families can receive food. Read more...

Asia Tsunami
Tsunami Disaster Relief and Development in India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia (2005-2010)
The December 26, 2004 underwater earthquake and tsunamis commanded the world's attention in an unprecedented way. This disaster, which killed approximately 295,000 people and displaced as many as five million, affected the coastal areas of eleven countries in the Indian Ocean. JDC has raised more than $19 million for the Tsunami Response Program, which is being carried out in the four most severely affected countries: India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Read more...

Bangladesh
Cyclone Sidr, a Category 4 system, hit Bangladesh on November 15th, 2007. The death toll reached over 3,000 and over 7 million people were affected by the fatal storm and tidal surges. JDC and The International Blue Crescent (IBC) responded to the immediate humanitarian and medical needs by distributing 300 family care packages, as well as securing donations of 2,000 sweaters. To meet the long-term needs of affected villagers, JDC is implementing two programs. Read more...

Belarus
Hospice Center for the Elderly (2007-present)
A state institution, the Hospital of Palliative Care—the Hospice—provides emotional, spiritual, and medical care for terminally ill elderly, as well as providing practical and psychological support for their family members. A free standing unit, it is the first Hospice for the adult terminally ill in Belarus. The Hospice is in dire need of new medical equipment that can alleviate the suffering of those with a life limiting illness. JDC is funding the purchase of two oxygen concentrators, manufactured locally, that will belong to the hospice and enhance the quality of end-of-life for hospice patients. Read more...

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Women's Health Empowerment Project (2004-present)
The Women's Health Empowerment Program provides psychosocial support services by and for women with breast cancer and their families, as well as public education programs that encourage the early detection of breast cancer. The program concentrates on 3 key areas: Establishing new educational and psychosocial services for women with breast cancer; offering professional seminars for physicians and health professionals; and providing organizational development training to NGOs. Read more...

Homecare Services for the Elderly and Disabled (1998-present)
Over 300 Serbs, Croats, and Muslims, and approximately 200 Jews (including many Holocaust survivors) receive homecare visits four times a week; fifty people residing in outlying communities also receive visits. Hot meals are delivered 6 times per week, and the clients' day-to-day care is managed by social workers. This project not only ensures the welfare of some of Bosnia's needy elderly, but also provides job opportunities and income to the multi-ethnic group of individuals who conduct the services. Read more...

"The J-Fund" (2005-present)
The "J Fund," a non-interest-bearing, revolving loan fund, was established to encourage the employment of individuals with disabilities. The fund helps local non-profit organizations to develop sustainable jobs for disabled or marginalized individuals, and any business or NGO initiated in social entrepreneurship activity may apply. Read more...

Ethiopia
Mother Theresa Care Center: Medical Care for Sick and Destitute Ethiopians (2006-present)
High rates of tuberculosis, congenital deformities of the vertebrae, scoliosis, and polio account for the severe cases of spine disease that JDC has uncovered in children and young adults in Ethiopia. Due to the harsh economic realities in the country and the lack of local medical resources for this condition, these young people are unable to obtain the necessary surgical and medical interventions to correct their conditions. To alleviate this situation, JDC and the Mother Theresa Care Center have launched a joint project to provide quality surgical and medical treatment for orphans in Ethiopia. Read more...

Treatment of Patients with Hodgkin's Disease (2006-present)
Hodgkin's disease is an eminently curable disease. However, even the basic ingredients of MOPP (a therapy regime for Hodgkin's disease) were unavailable. The Hodgkin's program benefits from the donation of medicine from a pharmaceutical company in India that produces a highly effective drug to control chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Read more...

Potable Water Program (2007-present)
This project seeks to provide a safe and adequate water supply facility, with appropriate technology and reasonable costs, for the villages of Debre Birehan, Jankura, Jura, and Grabet. The major goals of the rural water supply program are to improve the health and domestic hygiene of the community by providing clean water for drinking. Read more...

Academic and Medical Cooperation: University of Gondar - Ben Gurion University Medical Exchange Program (2005-present)
In 2005, a memorandum of understanding for academic cooperation was signed by JDC and the Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences (GCMHS) of the University of Gondar. The agreement promotes collaboration between Ethiopia and International Academic institutions on activities such as training, clinical and teaching services, research, and community service between the partners. Read more...

Georgia
Vocational Training for Refugees in Tbilisi (2007-present)
Civil wars, territorial conflicts, and ethnic cleansing in Georgia killed and displaced hundreds of thousands. Nearly 100,000 Georgian refugees have been living in limbo in the capital of Tbilisi for 15 years, unable to return to their homes, but unsupported in their new lives. Read more...

Women's Health Empowerment Program (2008)
In Georgia, breast cancer remains a serious problem and the leading cause of cancer deaths among Georgian women. Unlike in other countries, Georgian women typically detect breast cancer in the late stages (stages III and IV), which decreases the efficacy of treatment and increases mortality rates. Read more...

Ghana
Mother and Baby Care in Kumasi (2007-present)
Kumasi is the second largest city in Ghana. The HIV prevalence in Kumasi is estimated at approximately double that of the national figure. Approximately half of the pediatric HIV patients are co-infected with tuberculosis, and only 10 percent of pregnant women attending the ante-natal clinic agree to an AIDS test.

In order to tackle these issues, JDC-IDP is partnering with MASHAV (the Center for International Cooperation; Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to assist in setting up much needed Mother and Baby Units in Kumasi. This program is part of the UN Millennium Cities Health Initiative. Read more...

Hungary
Women's Health Empowerment Program (2006-present)
Breast cancer is one of the deadliest cancers among women in Hungary, with mortality rates significantly higher than the European average. Working with and through local NGOs, breast cancer survivors, and the Hungarian medical community, the partnership between JDC and Susan G. Komen for the Cure is focusing on strengthening existing and establishing new psychosocial services for women with breast cancer and their families; providing organizational development training to NGOs active in the area of breast health to strengthen services and coordination; and creating a breast health Resource Guide for public and professional use. Read more...

District 9 Children's Project - Assistance to Impoverished Children in Budapest (2007-present)
Children living in the infamous Dzsumbuj settlement in the 9th district of Budapest suffer from numerous difficulties, such as immaturity of the nervous system, attention deficit disorders, problems with their movement coordination, reading disabilities, dyslexia and dysgraphia. Many children do not complete primary school and it is almost impossible for them to graduate high school, thereby facing serious challenges when seeking employment.

JDC supports the Tanoda After School Center. The center aims to provide complex pedagogic-social after-school services for multiple developmentally delayed, Roma children, pupils, students, and their families. Read more...

Kashmir
Earthquake Relief (2005-present)
In October 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck Muzzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-administered Kashmir, devastating parts of Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, and causing more than 73,000 deaths. JDC has raised over $676,000 to aid the earthquake's victims, and has provided immediate disaster relief as well as long term rehabilitation both in Pakistan administered Kashmir and in Indian Kashmir. Read more...

Kazakhstan
Pyscho-Social Capacity-Building for Chronic Illness (HIV) (2007-Present)
Kazakhstan has more cases of HIV/AIDS than in its four neighboring countries - there are an estimated 12,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, with 946 registered at the Mother and Child Health Center in Shyimkent. This Regional HIV/AIDS Center is the only facility responsible for the diagnostics and treatment of HIV/AIDS in the South-Kazakhstan Region, for both adults and children.

JDC is offering its assistance in developing psychosocial services for the families living with HIV infected children. The project is a joint effort of three JDC divisions (FSU, IDP, Israel) and the Hadassah HIV/AIDS Center. Read more...

Kenya
Municipal Strategic Planning Units (2007 – 2010)
Local authorities in Kenya are facing a decentralization policy, initiated by the national government. This might result in a broadening of local authorities’ activities and fields of responsibility, and requires capacity building of the local authorities (personnel and organization) as well as developing good governance capabilities. Read more...

Post-Election Crisis Intervention (2008)
At least 1000 people died following the post-election conflict, which engulfed Kenya over disputed results. It is estimated that about 250,000 people were displaced over the course of a month. Hundreds of homes and farms were set on fire and recently harvested crops stolen. Citizens are vulnerable to physical attack in the streets. The violence prompted mass displacement to makeshift camps. Read more...

Middle East
Cherish: Child Rehabilitation Initiative for Safety and Hope (2003-2008)
In the arena of the increasingly violent and turbulent Middle East, Palestinian, and Israeli children are at direct risk of physical and emotional harm. The Child Rehabilitation Initiative for Safety and Hope (CHERISH) was conceived to ease the present realities of Palestinian and Israeli children by helping them regain their confidence, their ability to function in daily life, and their hope for the future. This multidisciplinary project focuses on psychological and social rehabilitation and addresses two target groups, the children and their families, and the professional community. Read more...

ECHOS: Empowering Communities in Home Safety (2006-present)
Thanks to a start-up grant of $100,000 from the Goldman Fund, the ECHOS initiative was launched in January 2006 to develop culturally appropriate community-based responses to the problem of unintentional injuries in both Israeli and Palestinian societies. Read more...

Moldova
House of Hope and Future - medical, social, psychological, and humanitarian support for elderly people in Soroca (2007-present)
This project ameliorates the living conditions of 510 elderly people residing in the town of Soroca and neighboring rural communities by providing them with support, within the framework of the Social Center in the village of Rublenita. The project integrates the elderly into a more active social life and aids their physical and psychological recuperation. Read more...

"Children of the Streets" - Providing a Center for Children in Adul Lui Voda (2007-present)
Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, despite recent progress. At least one child under seven is abandoned each day in Moldova, often in the earliest days of life. These children are forced to live on the streets. JDC, through the Rainbow rehabilitation facility for Moldovan Street Children provides a home for 35 children. The facility includes a medical team and social workers. Read more...

Morocco
Medical Equipment and Assistive Devices Project (2004-present)
JDC is working with the Jewish community leadership to send 1,100 wheelchairs and other assistive devices for distribution throughout the country. JDC procured the needed equipment from the Wheelchair Foundation, and the first container of wheelchairs arrived in late September 2007. A Wheelchair Distribution Ceremony took place in Casablanca in early November 2007. The event, which was aired on prime time TV, was attended by many dignitaries including the Minister of Welfare and the Welfare Advisor to the King of Morocco. The ceremony included JDC giving a $40,000 check to the President of Amicale Marocaine des Handicapes (AMH), to help purchase vans for a mobile unit. Read more...

Safe Housing Project (2007-ongoing)
Sixty elderly and indigent Jews are in dire need of being relocated to more secure and decent residences. They live in virtual squalor in apartments located in one of Casablanca's most unsafe neighborhoods. To meet their needs, a four story building is constructed on land adjacent to the community's Jewish Home for the Aged so that the needs of these Jews can be adequately met in secure surroundings. Read more...

Peru
Earthquake Response (2007-present)
The earthquake that hit Peru in August 2007 severely affected towns, villages, and rural areas, killing over 500 people and injuring more than 1,500. JDC immediately sent a representative to work with the leadership of the Peruvian Jewish Community. JDC and the Jewish community are also rebuilding a primary school which was severely damaged during the earthquake. Read more...

Russia
Women's Health Empowerment Program
Breast cancer is the most common cause of death among Russian women aged of 45-55 years. There exists a fear of talking about the issue, which is partially due to a lack of knowledge about breast cancer, prevention measures of disease among women, and a lack of counseling skills among health care providers. This program supported by the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation, and in partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure seeks to improve the experience of women with breast cancer from the moment of discovery, and provide support to survivors. The program also aims to provide education opportunities in order to increase the prevalence of early detection. Read more...

"Warmth of the Soul" - providing social help to refugees and internally displaced persons in Pyatigorsk (2006- Present)
The military conflict in the Northern Caucasus, as well as massive terror acts in the cities of Budennovsk, Kizlyar, and Beslan, has resulted in an enormous population of homeless individuals and families who lack access to social services and basic living necessities. Through a partnership with Hesed Bencion and the Municipality of Pyatigorsk, JDC is providing humanitarian aid to these refugees and Internally Displaced Persons who fled their homes. Read more...

Maria's Children, Assisting Children Coping with Serious Medical Needs (2006-present)
In coordination with the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Russia, JDC is supporting the work of LifeLine, a local NGO that provides life-saving operations and ongoing follow-up psychosocial services to underprivileged Russian children. Read more...

Rwanda
Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (2006-present)
One of the most devastating aftermaths of the 1994 Rwandan genocide was the approximately 1,200,000 children -- almost 15 percent of the Rwandan population -- who have been forever robbed of their parents, communities, homes, and hope for a viable future for their country.

The Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) seeks to provide a comprehensive and targeted response to this problem, through the establishment of a multi-faceted youth village, envisioned and built in partnership with American, Israeli, and Rwandan communities. The basis for the model is the concept of the Village as home, providing children with a holistic and protective environment, thus helping them to overcome trauma and abandonment. Read more...

Serbia
Small Business Program (2007-Present)
An ethnic minority, the Romas could be best described as gypsies. They are truly unwanted, and typically live in makeshift slums near city centers. A project has been established by which small business development loans are made to indigenous Roma entrepreneurs with the loans being repaid in kind (goods and services) to help Roma refugees from Kosovo. JDC's partners in this project include the Kosovo Roma Refugee Foundation, World Jewish Aid, and Dr. Alfred Bader. Read more...

South Africa
"The Future of Our Nation" (2007-ongoing)
"Ikamva Labantu" - "The Future of Our Nation" was established in response to the ravaging devastation of the AIDS epidemic on the country's children. This project enables the hiring of eight much needed additional Home Based Carers, in order to expand the scope and reach of the organization's work. Read more...

Tunisia
UTAIM Day Center for the Mentally Handicapped (2007-ongoing)
In this moderate Arab country with a small but historic Jewish community, JDC has been working for several years with the Tunisian Union for Social Solidarity (UTSS), the nationwide, government-sponsored umbrella organization for charitable endeavors. Read more...

Turkey
Early Detection and Rehabilitation of Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Children (2007-ongoing)
In partnership with the Institute for the Advancement of Deaf Persons in Israel, this project aims to lower the age that hearing-impairments are identified in Istanbul, and to encourage families with hearing-impaired children to begin the rehabilitation process as early as possible. Read more...

Ukraine
Transportation of Chair-bound Individuals (2007-ongoing)
Creavita, the Kharkov public organization for disabled people, partnered with Kharkov City Social Department in order to implement a two-fold, city-wide project. As a result, many public and administrative buildings were examined in order to determine wheelchair-access possibilities. In 2006, the "New Possibilities" project was developed with the support of the DFID, which will enable the wheelchair-bound to travel across the city in specially equipped vans and will create a specialized municipal transport service entitled "Taxis for the Disabled." Read more...

Early Intervention Center (2006-present)
The Charitable Foundation "Early Intervention Institute" has been working to develop innovative services related to early intervention in Kharkov since 2000, including the creation of the "Early Intervention Center." A very limited number of families received weekly consultations at the center, due to insufficient funding.

This project seeks to help prevent serious inborn or acquired disturbances at the earliest stages of children's development, in order to help them become comprehensively healthy adults. Read more...

"Talents Workshop": Art Education and Art Therapy for Orphans Living in Boarding Schools in Western Ukraine (2007-ongoing)
Talents Workshop is a six-month project that provides art education and art therapy for orphan children living in 10 Ukrainian public boarding schools. Its goal is to enable these children to experience personal realization through art activity, and to foster talented children who are devoid of parental care and support. The project also provides assistance in pedagogical methodology in the state and public structures in the field of art education. Read more...

Ukraine: Mine Explosion in Donetsk (2007-ongoing)
Between November 18th and December 2nd, three explosions occurred at the Zasyadko coal mine in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. As a result, 106 people were killed and more than 150 were hospitalized. The tragedy created a medical, psychological, and social crisis for the survivors and their families. In response, JDC is delivering multi-purpose support sets to each tragedy survivor's family. Read more...

Venezuela
Interfaith Initiative to Assist Destitute Children and Families (2007)
The critical social and economic situation has dramatically affected the poorest people in the country, who represent 80 percent of Venezuelan population JDC, together with the Jewish Community of Venezuela (CAIV), is partnering with Caritas (the humanitarian overseas branch of the Catholic Church) to fund two soup kitchens which serve the most vulnerable populations. Read more...